title: The impact of zirconium oxide nanoparticles on the hydration chemistry and biocompatibility of white Portland cement.
abstract: Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) has been nominated as a radiopacifying agent for use in MTA-like Portland cement-based root-filling materials. This research examines the impact of 20 wt% ZrO2 nanoparticles in the size range 50 to 75 nm on the early hydration chemistry of white Portland cement. Nano-ZrO2 was found to accelerate the degree of hydration by 26% within the first 24 h by presenting efficient nucleation sites for the precipitation and growth of the early C-S-H gel products. The presence of nano-ZrO2 was also found to divert the fate of the aluminium-bearing reaction products by lowering the ettringite to monosulphate ratio, reducing the size of the ettringite crystals and by increasing the Al:Si ratio of the C-S-H gel phase. The chemical and microstructural changes conferred upon the cement matrix by the nano-ZrO2 particles had a positive impact on in vitro biocompatibility with respect to MG63 osteosarcoma cells (via MTT assay).
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds.
authors.forename: Qiu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Deacon
authors.forename: Nichola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Coleman
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D033362:Powder Diffraction; D014867:Water; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014867:Water; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide